Lakers looking to trade for Pelicans 3&D Wing next to Luka Dončić
Your Los Angeles Lakers currently sit at 15-5 and are the 2nd seed in the West, a game ahead of the Houston Rockets. Almost everything has been going right for them.
The team has won most of their games despite LeBron James missing the first 14 games of the season. JJ Redick could get COTY votes if this pace keeps up, Austin Reaves has absolutely exploded onto the NBA scene, and Luka Doncic is playing like an MVP.
While yes, the season has been going well, there have been some definite flaws. In all five of the Lakers’ losses this season, there is a common denominator.
The Purple and Gold turn the ball over due to being outmatched athletically. Then once the ball is turned over, they’re getting killed in transition. Athleticism and defense are serious issues right now in LA.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Lakers are looking to change that. They’re one of the teams monitoring the trade market around a 3&D wing that would instantly solve that issue.
Lakers looking into Trade for Herb Jones
Drafted in 2021 in the second round, Herb Jones knows about overcoming the odds. Many second-round picks don’t end up having the type of career and impact that Jones has established for himself.
The Lakers and Warriors are showing interest in Herb Jones, per @BrettSiegelNBA pic.twitter.com/McHknLJLb9
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 3, 2025
Herb Jones isn’t quite a household name, but NBA die-hards know what he provides. Jones is a rangy 6’7 athlete who can be a POA and knock down threes as well.
Jones is currently 28th in the NBA, averaging 1.4 steals/game while also shooting 36% from three. Adding Herb Jones to this roster would add a dimension that the organization hasn’t seen for a while. What would a Lakers trade look like?
Perfect Lakers Trade for Herb Jones
Lakers Receive: Herb Jones
Pelicans Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, and a 2031 unprotected first-round pick
The Lakers, truthfully, wouldn’t be giving much up outside of picks in this trade. Jarred Vanderbilt has fallen out of the rotation, and Dalton Knecht has never really entered it.
Some around the league may still assign some value to Knecht, but the real value to New Orleans here would be the unprotected first-round pick.
Giving Luka Dončić a running mate like Jones would work wonders for his style of play. A POA defender who can take the other team’s best player and knock down threes from the corner doesn’t sound half bad. Plus, lineups featuring Jones and Marcus Smart would wreak absolute havoc across the league.
Jones can’t be traded until January 14th, but this is definitely something to monitor.
